Are You a Savvy Shopper?

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Walk into any food store and it's clear that manufacturers are hoping to target consumer's increased interest in natural and organic fare. Everything to organic Oreo's to all-natural chips lure customers into believing that even if these products aren't as nutritious as what they pick up in the produce aisle, they're still better than their non-natural alternatives.

For instance, while the organic label is extensively regulated, the term "natural" can mean anything. The definition of "natural" was created in 1982 and leaves much for interpretation: "A product labeled natural should not contain any artificial flavor, coloring or chemical preservative, or any other artificial or synthetic ingredient, and its ingredients may not be more than minimally processed."

The current definition does not include how an animal was raised. Food producers can consider, for instance, conventionally raised livestock natural, even though it has been pumped with growth hormones and antibiotics. Many products labeled 'all-natural' are loaded with high fructose corn syrup. Does that qualify as minimally processed?

A new study shows that men, while increasingly taking on the grocery shopping duties, have no clue how to shop. Big Food thrives on confusion. They don't want you to read ingredient labels. They want you to see "organic," "natural," or "whole grain," along with the cool packaging and sexy marketing, and throw it in the shopping cart.

The key to being a savvy shopper is taking the time to read ingredient labels. If you are familiar with the good, the bad, and the ugly, you can make a very quick, educated decision. There is one foundational tool you can always use...the less ingredients, the better. Chances are that in most cases, the fewer ingredients, the more real the foodstuff.

If ingredient labels look like a foreign language to you, let us help. We can meet you at your local grocery store to help you sift through the chaos. Clients love that we provide this service.

It doesn't take much to be a savvy shopper. As with many things, all it takes is a little guidance and determination.

Grocery Shopping Tour (scroll down to off-site services).

Legislative Update.

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FDA Panel rejects weight-loss drug Rimonabant

Federal health advisers unanimously rejected a weight-loss drug after hearing testimony that it increases the risk of suicidal behavior. The manufacturer, Sanofi-Aventis, failed to show the drug rimonabant is safe, the panel said. The unanimous finding by the expert panel's 14 voting members made it unlikely the Food and Drug Administration will approve the drug. The agency usually follows its panel's advice, but it isn't required to do so.

"There is a reasonable suspicion we better learn some more and watch this affair more closely before we launch into massive use of this drug," said panelist Dr. Jules Hirsch, of The Rockfeller University. In studies, patients given the once-daily tablet reported twice as many psychiatric side effects, including depression, anxiety and sleep problems, than those who received sham treatment, Dr. Amy Egan, a FDA medical officer told federal health advisers. "The numbers of events are small, but in aggregate they are worrisome," Egan said.

The FDA is to make a final decision on the drug by July 27. The company proposes selling the drug under the brand name Zimulti. Rimonabant already is sold in Europe as Acomplia. The litany of mental problems associated with the drug clearly gave the panelists pause. "I think this is a drug that needs further understanding with respect to what it does to people's psyche," said panelist Dr. Sid Gilman, a University of Michigan neurologist.

"We strongly believe that it is causal," Egan said. She noted 88 percent of those reporting psychiatric problems while on the drug had no prior history of depression. Furthermore, patients in the studies were carefully screened and monitored, suggesting the problems would be more common should the drug enter broad use, Egan added. The screenings proposed by the company won't keep the depressed and obese from Zimulti, warned Lynn McAfee, head of medical advocacy for the Council on Size & Weight Discrimination, a fat acceptance group. "If this gets out to be a real big deal in the public, you can figure out how to answer those questions to get the drug," McAfee said. "It's not going to stop anyone." The potential market for the drug is huge, as obesity rates have exploded in the past two decades. Today, nearly one in three American adults age 20 or older is obese, according to government data. Dr. Sidney Wolfe, of the advocacy group Public Citizen, said the obese are more likely to be depressed. Many of them likely would take Zimulti along with the antidepressants they already use - with unknown consequences, Wolfe told panelists. Rimonabant blocks the same pleasure centers in the body activated when pot smokers get the munchies. Blocking the receptors leads to patients eating less and losing weight.
Courtesy Reuters

It will be very interesting to see what the FDA decides in late July. There will be a lot of pressure coming from big Pharma.

Vaccine Court Starts Hearing Autism Cases

The United States Court of Federal Claims opened its first test case into the allegation that childhood vaccines such as measles-mumps-rubella shots, or the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal, led to children developing autism. The court will hear nine test cases that represent almost 5,000 other vaccine damages claims across the country.

The report foreshadows what is to come in court over the coming months: families whose children have suffered greatly will present evidence that there could be a causal link between the vaccines and their children's condition. Lawyers for the government will argue that the causation theories lack scientific research or factual evidence to support them.

Some families have waited over a decade to be heard. They finally get their opportunity.

Read our April entry on Rimonabant.

June Sale - 20% OFF.

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Metagenics CoQ10ST-100 60 & 120 softgels
Co-Enzyme Q10 plays a crucial role in energizing the cell. No organ requires more energy than the heart. Poor lifestyle choices and medications such as statins have been shown to deplete CoQ10 stores.

Twinlab Quercetin + C
While most vitamin C is derived from corn-based ascorbic acid, this source comes from the hypoallergenic sago palm. The additional quercetin is a powerful bioflavanoid that has shown in research to lower pancreatic cancer risk, polyp development, inflammation, and tooth decay.

Biocodex Florastor Extra Strength Probiotic
Saccharomyces boulardii fosters intestinal health by helping to promote healthy flora growth and protecting the intestines from the harmful effects of antibiotics and certain g.i. medications. Research on this strain has been published extensively in worldwide scientific journals.

Progressive Labs Pyridoxyl-5-Phosphate (P-5-P)
P-5-P is an activated form of vitamin B-6 that is extremely well-absorbed. Often recommend to prenatal and pregnant women, and those on specific medications that deplete vitamin B-6.

Order here.

Limit Cancer-Causing Compounds When Grilling Meat

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The barbecue season is starting to sizzle, but research has shown that grilling can create cancer-causing compounds in meat, experts say. Among the compounds are heterocyclic amines, or HCAs, created when heat acts on amino acids and creatinine in animal muscle.

The longer the cooking time and the higher the heat, the more HCAs, say Cancer Center experts at the University of California at Davis. That means barbecuing produces the most HCAs, followed by pan-frying and broiling. Baking, poaching, stir-frying and stewing produce the least HCAs.

Depending on your genetic blueprint, HCA's can be extremely toxic. Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure is to do genetic testing, which is very expensive. Until the price comes down, follow the following advice: Ten Tips for Grilling Healthfully and Safely:

1. Let it Defrost. Don't grill frozen meat. The exterior will burn before the inside can get cooked. Thaw meat in the fridge to avoid food safety issues.
2. Use a Marinade. Research shows it can help lower the amount of carcinogens up to 99 %, even if you marinate only a few minutes. Marinating helps keep lean cuts of meat from drying out. Whip up a basic marinade with olive oil and balsamic vinegar or lemon with a dash of sea salt and white pepper.
3. Choose the right Meat. When fat drips onto the flame, carcinogens can form, so stick to lean meat. In addition to chicken breasts and fish, try filet tips. Lean ground turkey and ground sirloin make great lower fat burgers. And trim off any visible fat from the meat before grilling.
4. Go Lean. You'll lessen the risk of carcinogens by grilling vegetables, fruit, lean fish, skinless poultry, pork tenderloin, and 98% lean grass fed beef/lamb.
5. Add Some Flavor and Color. Fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants and gain an extra layer of flavor from cooking over a fire. Cut veggies into pieces that are big enough, so they won't fall through the grate, and thick enough (at least an inch), so that they won't burn. They taste even better if coated with olive oil and sea salt or marinated.
6. Keep the Juice in. Don't press burgers with a spatula or prick meats with a fork. It releases the juices and will make the meat too dry. To flip the meat, use tongs or a spatula instead.
7. Grill in Foil. If the fat and juices can't drip into flame, carcinogens won't have the chance to form, plus you will keep moisture in. Foil is especially good for vegetables or delicate fish that might fall apart on the grill.
8. Put a lid on It. Because oxygen feeds fire, closing the lid on your grill (and closing the vent holes on a charcoal grill) can help prevent flare-ups, the experts say.
9. Cook thoroughly. Charred skin or meat can trick you into thinking your protein foods are cooked through, but you won't know for sure unless you use a meat thermometer or cut into the middle of the thickest meat on the grill.
10. Relax. The beauty of summer grilling is that everyone can help and you can go casual with serving. For guests, if everything is cut and ready to be cooked before they arrive, you can enjoy your company!

We also want you to think cruciferous. One or two days before you barbecue, eat cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and brussels sprouts These vegetables contain compounds that activate enzymes in the body that detoxify HCAs.

Adapted from Bon Appetit and Gourmet Magazines, June 2007